With our planning application submitted and now being reviewed, the time has come to ask for your support. You can do that by writing comments on the application at the link below, or you can send them in writing to the council (that information is also below).
We welcome all your comments, but if you would like to be most effective then please think about the following things.
Please read the whole proposal, and say in your comment that you did.
Please comment in your own words.
But remember, comments about my character, our relationship, or my ability to run a nursery don’t count!
The Main Issue, something for everyone to consider
The main issue from the pre-application advice was due to our location outside of the villages. However, we strongly believe there is a need to invest in outlying villages of County Durham and the rural area. Our proposal demonstrates investment in local children, and will have long lasting positive effects for their education, employment, and quality of life.
Parent support, some ideas for comments from local parents
i) We know that families travel on foot between New Brancepeth and Ushaw Moor regularly for example for school, shopping, doctor, and pharmacy. Families also walk to the Deerness Valley Way for recreational purposes, or exercise and this runs directly past the nursery site. So the nursery will be easy to get to on foot or public transport. If you would walk please say this in your comment. Several of you run local groups and activities for families, and if you would mention that you know those families walk that would be good too.
ii) In Ushaw Moor and New Brancepeth there is not much choice of nursery education. Having a new nursery to choose from would mean we are more able to choose a place that is best for our children, that meets their needs and provides a quality education.
iii) If you would choose the nursery because of its location please say this in your comment. I know many of you love the idea of your child playing and learning in our garden specifically, and many of you want your child to be educated locally.
Local support, some ideas for comments from people who live locally but don't have children of nursery age
i) Allowing a new nursery to be built in between Ushaw Moor and New Brancepeth is an investment in our local area for the long term. This is because the nursery will create local jobs and volunteer opportunities, and because good education for our local children will help them in their adult lives.
ii) We know that families travel on foot between New Brancepeth and Ushaw Moor regularly for example for school, shopping, the doctor, and pharmacy. Families also walk to the Deerness Valley Way for recreational purposes, or exercise and this runs directly past the nursery site. So the nursery will be easy to get to on foot or public transport.
iii) The nursery will be teaching children about looking after our local environment, and this is important because they will grow up to be teenagers and adults that respect and care for natural spaces like the Deerness Valley Way railway paths.
If you would like to comment online, you can do that at the link below. You need to make a free login to the planning portal.
If you would like to comment in writing, you can do that quoting the reference DM/19/01366/FPA
County Hall
Durham
County Durham
United Kingdom
DH1 5UL
If you would like to do more you can contact our local Parish Councillors and County Councillors with a letter or email of support.
Marion Wilson - https://democracy.durham.gov.uk/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=4042
Jean Chaplow - https://democracy.durham.gov.uk/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=202
For more information about commenting on planning applications go to: